Are you passionate about international policy? Are you looking to pursue or enhance a career in international or global policy development? Our Master of International Public Policy (MIPP) at the Balsillie School of International Affairs gives you the ability to engage with leading scholars and policy practitioners in the field of global governance to follow your passion and turn it into a rewarding career.
Good public policy is fundamental to a well-functioning society. There is a need the world over for bright individuals who want to create, evaluate, and implement public policy.
From climate change to international migration to financial stability, today’s most pressing challenges all have important global dimensions, and individuals with the knowledge and skills to grapple with these challenges are in increasingly high demand.
Students in the Master of International Public Policy (MIPP) degree at Laurier will learn the tools for policy analysis, writing effective policy briefs, communicating and team building, learn the functioning of national and international organizations and develop professional networks.
The degree is comprised of a multidisciplinary suite of courses – involving faculty members from both Laurier and the University of Waterloo – in political science, economics, global studies, environmental studies, geography and others. This ensures our students gain a comprehensive understanding of the various perspectives and interests that shape international public policy.
The Laurier MIPP degree at the Balsillie School stands out from similar programs because we are interdisciplinary and professionally focused.
The MIPP program is a one-year, full-time program, comprised of three consecutive terms. Our intake is once a year, every September. You will complete a total of twelve courses in the degree: the four required courses in the first term. These required courses ensure core competencies in public sector economics, policy analysis and research tools, and international relations and globalization.
During the second and third terms, you will choose courses to complete one of four thematic concentrations:
The program is an intense course-based degree, combining practical policy projects culminating in policy briefs, small group projects, presentations, and many opportunities to interact with faculty, senior graduate students, visiting scholars, experts and guest lecturers providing valuable insight on issues and on the practice of international public policy.
Andrew Horne (MIPP '21), policy analyst, Natural Resources Canada
Take the first step in your graduate education and apply to one of our graduate programs. Follow our three-step admission process — we’ll walk you through how to apply and prepare for your first day as a graduate student.
The Master of International Public Policy at Laurier will admit a limited number of students each year. If you would like to have a conversation about your eligibility, contact us. We can offer you a pre-assessment of your credentials.
While a previous degree in political science, economics or a related degree is preferred, students who have achieved this degree and embarked on successful careers have come to us with undergraduate degrees in everything from economics, science, law to religion and culture.
We also offer a preparatory certificate called Foundations in Public Policy.
For your pre-assessment, simply send all transcripts and your cv/resume via email to Maureen Ferraro at mferraro@wlu.ca.
After you have submitted your OUAC application, paid the non-refundable application fee, and Laurier has received your application, you'll receive an email from gradadmissions@wlu.ca advising you to upload the additional required documentation to Laurier’s Online Registration and Information System (LORIS).
Please note, the application process and the uploading of supplemental documentation, which includes reference, typically takes two weeks. The MIPP program has limited enrolment so we encourage you to apply early to avoid disappointment.
An application for admission to our master's program in International Public Policy must include:
Visit our Graduate Admissions Toolkit for more information about applying.
Proficiency in written and spoken English is essential to graduate studies at Laurier. Applicants whose language of instruction during their previous postsecondary education was not in English must submit evidence of proficiency in English. If applicable, results from accepted testing services must be uploaded to LORIS.
Questions? Contact Maureen Ferraro, MIPP program officer, at mferraro@wlu.ca or 548.889.5216.
"I see the Balsillie School as a unique institution that provides students and scholars with the academic and experiential foundations to lead Canadian and international organizations in pursuing the most effective paths to global security and harmony."
Ann Fitz-Gerald, director, Balsillie School of International Affairs
As a hub in a global network of scholars, practitioners and students, the Balsillie School of International Affairs aims to develop new solutions to humanity’s critical problems, improve global governance now and in the future, and enhance the quality of people’s lives around the world. Founded in 2007 by philanthropist Jim Balsillie, the Balsillie School is an equal collaboration with the Centre for International Governance Innovation, the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University.
The Balsillie School is a proud affiliated member of APSIA.
All full-time domestic students receive an average funding package of $15,000 for the one-year program. For further information see Graduate Tuition and Funding.
The School of International Policy and Governance welcomes international students to the MIPP Degree. International students who have confirmed funding from a third-party, such as their employer or a scholarship program in their home country, will be considered for admission.
Learn more about admission requirements for international applicants.
Our Laurier MIPP graduates have a diverse range of interests that they will pursue after graduation. Our expanding alumni network, now hundreds strong – can be found throughout the policy universe, from local food security networks and refugee settlements to municipal, provincial, and national policy branches (both in Canada and abroad) to UN agencies around the globe.
During the MIPP degree you are encouraged to schedule your own virtual or in-person one-on-one appointment with the Career Consultant. As a graduate student, your schedule is demanding – but investing in career development during your studies can set you up for long-term success. Career consultants offer individualized coaching and consultation on topics including:
To book an appointment:
Learn about the interests of our faculty members. If you are looking for more information about this program, have questions, or want to set up a meeting, contact a member of our team.
Alison Blay-Palmer
Professor
UNESCO Chair on Food, Biodiversity and Sustainability Studies
Winnie Chan
Instructor
Simon Dalby
Professor (Retired)
Timothy Donais
Associate Professor
Alistair Edgar
Associate Professor
Associate Dean, School of International Policy and Governance
Nick Garside
Instructor
Patricia Goff
Associate Professor
Jeff Grischow
Associate Professor
Derek Hall
Associate Professor
Jenna Hennebry
Professor
Ken Jackson
Associate Professor
Jurek Konieczny
Professor
Alex Latta
Associate Professor
Terrence Levesque
Professor (Retired)
Colleen Loomis
Associate Professor
Sara Matthews
Associate Professor
Audra Mitchell
Professor
Canada Research Chair in Global Political Ecology
Kim Rygiel
Associate Professor
Co-Director, International Migration Research Centre
Pierre Siklos
Professor (Retired)
Debora VanNijnatten
Associate Professor
Alan Whiteside
Professor (Retired)
Randall Wigle
Professor Emeritus
Stacey Wilson-Forsberg
Associate Professor
Co-Director, PhD in Global Governance
Director, Master of International Public Policy
Carrie Wright
Instructor
